Officer gives puppy to family, 8-year-old who lost dogs in fire

ROWAN COUNTY, N.C. - A family in Rowan County is thankful two Kannapolis police officers stepped in to help after they lost their home and two dogs in a house fire.

Boarded windows, melted siding and a charred roof are all that's left of the Pollard's house in Rockwell after an early morning kitchen fire on Sept. 30.

"He said, 'Momma wake up, wake up, the house is on fire,'" said Leanne Pollard.

The Pollard family made it out safely, thanks to 8-year-old Zane. His mom, Leanne, said he was the first to smell the smoke and run for help.

"My mind was clear, I was just thinking about my mom and dad," said Zane Pollard.

They lost everything, including their two pit boxers named Pumpkin and Bessie.

"They were the best dogs in the world," said Alexis Givens.

Dealing with the loss was tough on all of them, especially the children. Leanne shared their story with a teller at their bank who called her nephew, a police officer in Kannapolis, who knew someone else who could help.

"My aunt was telling me about the family and everything and I got to thinking. I knew Officer Kiser had a litter of puppies he was trying to get rid of," said Justin Scarborough, a Kannapolis police officer.

Kiser said he couldn't imagine losing his dogs and wanted to help any way he could. Shortly after, he met with the family and gave them Thumper, a full blooded American bulldog.

It's a gift Leanne says her family fell in love with immediately. She said it helped pull her kids out of depression.

Even though Thumper won't replace the dogs killed in the fire, the officers are grateful they were able to help the kids get through the pain and burden of losing their house.